Development & Communications Coordinator

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan serves as a common solicitor, storehouse and distributor of food on behalf of its Partner Agencies which are non-profit, charitable organizations serving those in need.

Today the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan provides over 40 million pounds of food each year to those in need through more than 700 partner agencies. Partner Agencies consist of local soup kitchens, shelters, and food pantries who strive to feed the more than 300,000 people in eastern Michigan who are food insecure. The excellent relationships established within the Food Bank’s 22 county service area and throughout the state has allowed for numerous programs and initiatives to help fight hunger.

The Development & Communications Coordinator supports the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan's fundraising, marketing, and outreach efforts by ensuring smooth operations, consistent messaging, and accurate data management. This role works closely with the development and communications teams to advance donor engagement, strengthen the organization’s brand, and support mission-driven events and campaigns and will ensure superior customer service to all internal team members and other stakeholders of the organization. All activities will support the organization’s mission, culture and strategic plan objectives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Fundraising Support: Assist with donor stewardship, gift solicitation, prospect research, and preparation of fundraising materials.
• Marketing & Communications Support: Help execute marketing campaigns, support social media and email communications, and maintain brand consistency across platforms.
• Event Coordination: Support planning, logistics, promotion, and on-site execution of fundraising and community events.
• Data Integrity Support: Maintain accurate donor and communications records; generate reports and ensure proper data entry in CRM/database systems.
• Content Creation Support: Draft and edit content for direct mail, newsletters, social media, the website, and other donor materials.

• Create and maintain a positive work environment in alignment with the Company core values.
• Identify, cultivate and maintain community partnerships for the successful completion of food drives and third-party events.
• Maintain accurate and current records and logistics for food drives, third party events, and community engagement activities in the appropriate databases and department files.
• Promote virtual food drives and provides technical support to community groups and organizations to maximize the available crowdfunding pages as a source of viable revenue.
• Promote and provide technical support to individuals to maximize the available peer-to-peer fundraising pages as a source of viable revenue.
• Maintain a year-round calendar of speaking engagements and/or attendance at community events to ensure regular exposure to the organization.
• Ensure timely recognition is provided to all donors, volunteers, and community groups engaged in development activities.
• Support the Director of Development in the planning and execution of all fundraising and organizational events as outlined in the development plan.
• Support the Director of Development by working with other departments (operations, programs, finance, etc.) to collect accurate data and written grant reports as assigned.
• Support the Director of Development by conducting prospective research for new potential grant funding as assigned.
• Work with Marketing Specialist to provide marketing objectives with updates to website, e-mail blasts, and social networking as assigned.
• Support Gift Processing Specialist with overflow of tasks, i.e; robust mailings and data entry.
• Prepare regular reports on progress, budgets, receipts, and expenditures as assigned.
• Know and adhere to organizational policies and procedures, and work as an integral member of the development team.
• Work effectively with stakeholders from diverse populations, revealing sensitivity, understanding and acceptance of others.

Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

• A college degree or equivalent combination of course work and experience are required.

EXPERIENCE

• Previous work experience with fundraising and non-profit organizations highly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• High level of organization skills.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Able to take initiative in projects and build new relationships.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Excel and donor databases such as Blackbaud.
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to multitask managing several projects running concurrently.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an office environment for day-to-day duties with desk work and computer usage to organize development activities and outside of the office at community events to raise money and support the organization’s mission.  Work hours will vary in relation to events, food drives, dinners and outside activities throughout the community and will involve evenings and weekends.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer.